Proteins of the Chediak-Higashi/Beige (BEACH) family have been implicated in the function of lysosomes, as well as in signal transduction, but their molecular role is still poorly understood. In Dictyostelium, at least six members of the family can be identified. Here cells with mutations in two of these genes, LVSA and LVSB, were analyzed. Interestingly both mutants exhibited defects in the organization of the endocytic pathway,albeit at distinct stages. In lvsB mutant cells, the regulated secretion of lysosomal enzymes was enhanced, a phenotype reminiscent of the Chediak-Higashi syndrome. LvsA mutant cells exhibited alterations in the organization and function of the early endocytic and phagocytic pathway. The LvsA protein may participate in the signaling pathway, which links adhesion of a particle to the subsequent formation of a phagocytic cup. Further genetic analysis will be necessary to determine whether other members of the BEACH family of proteins are also involved in controlling the organization of the endocytic pathway.
Interviews with Biologists @ 100 conference speakers
Explore our interviews with keynote speakers from the Biologists @ 100 conference, hosted to celebrate our publisher’s 100th anniversary, where we discuss climate change and biodiversity with Hans-Otto Pörtner and Jane Francis, health and disease with Charles Swanton and Sadaf Farooqi, and emerging technologies with Manu Prakash and Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz.
Introducing our new Associate Editors
In this Editorial, JCS Editor-in-Chief Michael Way welcomes five new Associate Editors to the JCS team. These Associate Editors will expand our support for the wider cell biology community and handle articles in immune cell biology, proteostasis, imaging and image analysis, plant cell biology, and stem cell biology and modelling.
The spatial choreography of mRNA biosynthesis
In their Review, André Ventura-Gomes and Maria Carmo-Fonseca detail the latest research progress and technological advancements that are helping to unlock how nuclear organisation underpins control of gene transcription and pre-mRNA splicing.
JCS-FocalPlane Training Grants
Early-career researchers - working in an area covered by JCS - who would like to attend a microscopy training course, please apply. Deadline dates for 2025 applications: 6 June 2025 (decision by week commencing 28 July 2025) and 5 September 2025 (decision by week commencing 20 October 2025).
The emerging roles of the endoplasmic reticulum in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction
In their Review, Jonathan Townson and Cinzia Progida highlight recently emerging evidence for a role of the endoplasmic reticulum in enabling a cell to sense and respond to changes in the extracellular mechanical environment.
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